GARY MOORE – Blues For Jimi (2012)
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Perhaps this 2007 concert with GARY MOORE playing the music of Jimi Hendrix would not have been oficially released if it wasn’t for Gary’s abrupt decease in 2011.
“Blues For Jimi ” was recorded at the London Hippodrome as part of the launch for the Jimi Hendrix Live At Monterey program and featured Gary Moore and his band performing classic Hendrix songs.
At the end of the night Moore was joined by Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience for 3 tracks.
“Blues For Jimi ” it’s a pure delight for Gary Moore fans, as well for Jimi Hendrix aficionados, as Moore truly plays these classic tracks with conviction and adventurous spirit.
Gary nails the solo on the set opening “Purple Haze”, then finishes with a rapid set of descending pull offs that are classic Moore. Jimi is smiling somewhere in the cosmos. So is Moore. In fact, they’re probably having a laugh together.
“Manic Depression” features drummer Darrin Mooney and bassist Dave Bronze doing their finest Experience impression – especially the furious display of fills from the former Primal Scream sticksman. His free flowing frenzy is anchored by Bronze, who stays steady, keeping the path clear for the red hot histrionics of Moore and Mooney. This group takes possession of these songs – they’re not just covering them, they are taking ownership for the evening.
Moore’s command of his instrument is astounding as he squeezes the shellac off the back of his faithful Strat’s neck for the hallowed feedback that introduces “Foxey Lady”. The solo sees him adding much of his own style, with drastic string bends, and the otherworldly fury of his right hand makes it a wonderful trip.
Gary Moore was known for his guitar playing, but his singing always carried an equal share of the load – when he slows things down for “The Wind Cries Mary”, his tone, phrasing, and vibrato are all as captivating coming from his mouth as his hands. There’s a tremendous amount of love, devotion, and respect being applied to these songs.
On “I Don’t Live Today” he starts in the blues and ends up in an acid drenched guitar freak out. Moore does his best to recreate the vibe and largely succeeds.
As soon as the first pulsating chords tumble out of his speakers, you can’t wait to hear what the Irish wunderkind does with “Angel”, and he certainly delivers. Balladry was one of Moore’s strong points and he milks this one for all it’s worth, then when the band starts modulating up towards the stratosphere you just want them to take it higher and higher, and they do. Mindblowingly beautiful.
Fueling the funkier section of the Hendrix catalog, “Fire” gives the Moore and his crack band the chance to pick up the pac, and boy do they.
Things gets special when Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell comes to the stage. Moore stokes the fires with the time tested and approved intro that can only announce an arrival at the “Red House”. Cox and Moore trade vocal verses, and while the vibe is looser, more relaxed, and casual, this has much more of a bluesy vibe as Billy walks hard on his old Fender bass. Mitchell is as loose as ever, and perhaps only Ginger Baker ever came as close to bringing jazz to the rock as well as Mitch.
The solo section here is amazing – Moore slows down, and shows that he’s much more than fire and brimstone, he’s also deep.
Cox takes the vocal for “Stone Free”, and it’s straight back to the psychedelic 60s – what a great trip. Moore plays this one clean and slinky – he’s giving Cox and Mitchell the stage and letting them roam free.
“Hey Joe” is transcendent. Cox and Mitchell move this thing from down Mexico way to the Southside of Chicago, down the Mississippi to the Gulf via New Orleans, and Moore chases them every step of the way. They end up together in a state of rock and roll nirvana. This one is worth the price of the record.
They wrap it up with “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” – Moore playfully attacks his wah pedal and takes this intro uptown with John Shaft. Then Mitchell and Cox join in, and together they ride off into the sunset.
Gary Moore blazed a bright trail – he started off as a Clapton acolyte playing hard rock, moved upwards to become a metal guitar icon before finding out late in his life that he still had the blues.
He never gave less than a thousand percent, and he made some amazing moves by filling the shoes of Clapton playing with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, recreating the music of Cream (as well as an album of their own as BBM) – I’m glad he was also able to show his respect, love, and command of the catalog of Jimi Hendrix.
“Blues For Jimi ” is a beautiful way to pay tribute to both Moore and Jimi – a wonderful set of Hendrixian blues and rock, all played with love.
Very Recommended.
Gary Moore – Darrin Mooney – Dave Bronze
1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Foxy Lady
4. The Wind Cries Mary
5. I Don’t Live Today
6. Angel
7. Fire
Gary Moore – Mitch Mitchell – Billy Cox
8. Red House
9. Stone Free
10. Hey Joe
Gary Moore – Darrin Mooney – Dave Bronze
11. Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
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